Everything about Myxedema totally explained
Myxedema (British English:
myxoedema) is a skin and tissue disorder usually due to severe prolonged
hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism can be caused by atrophic disease,
Hashimoto's thyroiditis, surgical removal of the
thyroid, and rarer conditions. Partial forms of myxedema, especially of the lower legs (called
pretibial myxedema), occasionally occur in adults with
Graves' disease, a cause of hyperthyroidism; or also Hashimoto's thyroiditis without severe hypothyroidism.
Symptoms
Myxedema usually presents itself with some of the following symptoms:
Causes
Myxedema, stemming from both the
hyperthyroid and
hypothyroid conditions, results from the accumulation of increased amounts of
hyaluronic acid and
chondroitin sulfate in the
dermis in both lesional and normal skin. The mechanism that causes myxedema is still not yet understood, although animal model studies suggest that
thyroid hormones affect the
synthesis and
catabolism of
mucopolysaccharides and
collagen by dermal
fibroblasts. The fibroblasts in the
orbital and
pretibial dermis share
antigenic sites that underlie the
autoimmune process that causes
Graves' disease. This cross-reaction may contribute to the development of myxedema long after normal levels of thyroid hormones have been restored by treatment.
Treatment
Treatment for myxedema is difficult. Systemic or
intralesional glucocorticoids,
topical glucocorticoids under
occlusion or high-dose
intravenous immunoglobulin have been reported to offer some relief to patients.
Treatment should follow correction of the original hyperthyroidism/hypothyroidism.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Myxedema'.
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